Miniaturized cell array methods and apparatus for cell-based screening

A machine readable storage medium comprising a program containing a set of instructions for causing a cell screening system to execute procedures for detecting a cell based toxin and organ localization comprising:

• a) imaging or scanning an array of locations containing cells contacted with a test substance, to obtain luminescent signals from a luminescent reporter molecule in the cells;
• wherein the array comprises at least a first cell type and a second cell type, and wherein the first cell type and the second cell type are not contained on the same location in the array;
• wherein the first and second cell types are derived from different organ types;
• wherein each of the cell types comprises at least a first luminescent reporter molecule;
• wherein a localization, distribution, structure, and/or activity of the at least first luminescent reporter molecule is altered by a toxin to be detected;
• and wherein the contacting occurs either before or after possession of the at least one luminescent reporter molecules by the first cell type and the second cell type;
• b) converting the luminescent signals into digital data;
• c) utilizing the digital data to automatically measure the localization, distribution, structure and/or activity of the at least one luminescent reporter molecule on or in the first cell type and the second cell type, wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the luminescent reporter molecule indicates the presence of a toxin and an organ localization of the toxin.